Tool for use as jar and bottle opener

ABSTRACT

In a tool having opposed jaws and lever-actuated mechanism for drawing the jaws together to fit against threaded parts of various sizes, the lever-actuated mechanism comprises a pivotally mounted lever and force transmitting means movable over an arcuate path in substantially parallel relation to a sliding member formed with a series of ratchet teeth.

. United States Patent 1191 Kovacevic July 9, 1974 [54] TOOL FOR USE ASJAR AND BOTILE 1,987,399 1/1935 Harris 81/357 x OPENER 2,236,342 3/1941Marse11a..... 81/357 ux 2,634,638 4/1953 Krag 81/357 X [76] Inventor:Radoslav Kovacevic, 3 0 N State 3,223,133 12/1965 Brookey 81/314 x St.,Chicago, 111. 60610 1 [22] Filed: June 19, 1972 Primary Examiner-AlLawrence Smith [2 APPL 2 3 14 Assistant Examiner-Roscoe V. ParkerRelated US. Application Data [63] gloanntiilfigzlon of Ser. No. 795,284,Jan. 30, 1969, [57] ABSTRACT [n a tool having opposed jaws andlever-actuated [52] U.S. CL, 81/342, 81/357 mechanism for drawing thejaws rtOgether to fit against Illll. h d parts of various i the leveractuated Flfild 0f Search 337, 338, 357, mechanism comprises a mountedlever 1 1 314 force transmitting means movalble over an arcuate path insubstantially parallel relation to a sliding mem- [56] E gf l' rENTs berformed with a series of ratchet teeth.

UNIT D ATES A 1,967,960 7/1934 McNemar "81/314 X 1 Claim, 7 DrawingFigures TOOL FOR USE AS JAR AND BOTTLE OPENER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention pertains generally to a tool for household useand more particularly to improved tools of the type having opposed jawsand leveractuated mechanism for drawing the jaws together to fit againstthreaded parts 'of various sizes. Such tools are particularly adaptedfor use in opening jars and bottles having screw-type lids but also maybe used in diverse other applications.

In such a tool, it is desirable that the lever-actuated mechanism becapable of being operated with one hand, easily and untiringly, in sucha manner as to draw the jaws together from widely spaced positions tofit against threaded parts of various sizes, thereby leaving the otherhand of the operator free to grasp the articles on which the threadedparts are to be loosened or tightened. The household tools knownto theprior art have proved to be not entirely satisfactory in this regard.

An early example of the prior art in a household tool for use in openingjars and bottles having screw-type lids is disclosed in a patent toFranz K. Krag, U.S. Pat. No. 2,000,962. The tool is characterized by anelongated generally U-shaped handle having a series of ratchet teethalong the inner edge of one'leg. A first jaw is fixed to the handle. Asecond jaw forms part of struc ture slidably mounted to the handle. Alever is pivotally mounted to the same structure. A pawl is pivotallymounted to the handle. After the jaws have been pushed together manuallytofit against a screw-type lid on a jar or bottle, the lever may beactuated to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth insubstantially perpendicular relation to the series of ratchet teeth.Further actuation of the lever transmits leverage to the jaws throughthe pawl.

Improvements to the tool described in the preceding paragraph aredisclosed in a later patent to Franz K. Krag, U.S. Pat. No. 2,634,638.In the improved tool, the lever is spring-biased outwardly, and the pawlis spring-biased toward the ratchet teeth. A lug onthe lever engages thepawl and draws the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth uponrelease of the lever. The pawl is moved into engagement with the ratchetteeth in substantially perpendicular relation to the series of ratchetteeth, whereupon the mechanical advantage of the tool is high but thereis substantial friction between the handle and the structure of whichthe second jaw forms part. Furthermore, the configurations of the handleand the lever make the tool somewhat inconvenient to use, particularlyin opening a wide mouthed jar or. bottle. v

Another example of the prior art, in a household tool for use in openingjars and bottles having screw-type lids is disclosed in a patent toPhilip F. Marsella et al.,

U.S. Pat. No. 2,236,342. The tool has a lever-actuated.

mechanism which is used to advance the elongated shank of a sliderrelative to an elongated handle in incremental movements in order todraw together an integral jaw on the slider and an integral jaw on thehandle. The shank of the slider is formed with a series of ratchetteeth. The. lever-actuated mechanism comprises an elongated generallystraight lever, which is pivotally mounted to the handle, and a pawl,which is pivotally mounted to the lever. The lever is spring- 2 biasedoutwardly of the handle, and the pawl is springbiased toward the ratchetteeth, whereupon repeated actuation of the leveradvances the shank ofthe slider relative to the handle. The pawl is moved into engagementwith the ratchet teeth in substantially perpendicular relation to theratchet teeth, whereupon there is substantial friction between theslider and the handle. Furthermore, the operation of the tool is notentirely satisfactory in that there is no readily apparent way for thepawl to be held out of engagement with the ratchet teeth in order topermit the shank of the slider to be withdrawn from the handle.

There remains a need for an improved tool of the type having opposedjaws and lever-actuated mechanism for drawing the jaws together which iscapable of being operated with onehand, easily and untiringly, in such amanner as to draw the jaws together from widely spaced positions to fitagainst threaded parts of various sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

Accordingly, it is one object of this invention to provide an improvedtool of the aforementioned type which is designed to be operated withone hand,'easily and untiringly, in such a manner as to draw the jawstogether from widely spaced positions to fit against threaded parts ofvarious sizes.

It is another object of this invention to providea tool, as described,which leaves the other handof the user free to grasp the article onwhich the threaded parts are to be loosened or tightened.

Similarly, it is another object of this invention to pro- I vide a tool,as described, which may be used in cramped quarters.

It is another object of this invention to provide a tool, as described,in which thereis no need to push the jaws together manually.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a tool, asdescribed, which is particularly adapted for use in opening jars andbottles having screw type lids. The preceding objects are attained in atool comprising a handle having a jaw portion, a sliding member havingan elongated shank portion slidably mounted to the handle and a jawportion, and lever-actuated mechanism for effecting longitudinal slidingmovement of the sliding member in one direction with respect to thehandle. The jaw portion of the sliding member and the jaw portion of thehandle are oriented so as to be drawn together upon longitudinal slidingmovement of the sliding member in the aforesaid one direction withrespect to the handle and to be drawn apart upon longitudinal slidingmovement of the sliding member in the opposite direction with respect tothe handle.

More particularly, the lever-actuated mechanism comprises a leverpivotally mounted to the handle in combination with force transmittingmeans for transmitting force from the lever to the sliding member byengagement with a series of ratchet teeth formed on the shank portion ofthe sliding member. The force transmitting means is connected to thelever so as to effect incremental longitudinal sliding movement of thesliding member in the aforesaid one direction with respect to the handleupon pivotal actuation; of the lever and so as to be disassociated fromthe sliding member upon release of the lever.

In accordance with the principles of this invention, the forcetransmitting means is connected to the lever so as to be movable intoand out of engagement with the ratchet teeth over an arcuate path insubstantially parallel relation to the series of ratchet teeth. As aresult, force applied to the lever is transmitted to the shank portionof the sliding member in the direction of intended movement of thesliding member, whereupon there is minimal friction between the shankportion of the sliding member and the handle. The lever may berepeatedly actuated with minimal effort to advance the sliding memberwith respect to the handle in incremental movements.

Force transmitting means of various types may be employedsatisfactorily. Thus, for example, the force transmitting means maycomprise a pawl pivotally mounted to the lever and biased toward theratchet teeth. Alternatively, the force transmitting means may comprisea tongue in cantilevered relation to the lever. In the latter instance,the tool would require only two moving parts, exclusive of the handleand biasing means.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a tool which is free ofsharp corners or edges and is convenient to use by virtue of anassymetrically shaped handle designed for comfort in handling, toprovide a tool of simplified construction with a minimum number ofmoving parts, to offer the lowest possible 'cost to consumers by virtueof simplified construction and a minimum number of parts, to provide atool which may be hung on a conventional kitchen rack, and to provide atool of highly functional design incorporating materials commonly usedin household tools.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention willbe evident from the description to follow, with the aidof the attacheddrawing, of a preferred embodiment of this invention having severalalternative arrangements of parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tool embodying theprinciples of this invention, one arrangement of parts being shown;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. Iin the direction of the arrows, subject matter normally appearing in thebackground being omitted for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of FIG. 1in the direction of the arrows, subject matter normally appearing in thebackground beingomitted for clarity;

FIGS. 4-6 are fragmentary views, similar to FIG. 1, showing analternative arrangement of parts; and

FIG. 7 is a detail view taken substantially along line 77 of FIG. 6 inthe direction of the arrows, showing the relationship of some of theparts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings, in whichcorresponding parts are indicated by like reference numbers, there isshown a tool 10 embodying the principlesof this invention. The tool 10comprises a handle 12 which is free of sharp corners or edges and isassymetrically shaped for comfort in handling. The handle 12 has anelongated body portion 14 and a widened jaw portion 16 and is generallyhollow, as shown. The tool 10 further comprises a sliding member 18having an elongated shank portion 20 and a jaw portion 22.

For convenience in assembly, the handle 12 is formed in two separatepieces or members, 26 and 28 respectively, which may be molded ofhigh-impact plastic or metal, the former being preferred. A first rivet30 and a second rivet 32 are used to fasten together the handle members26 and 28 at the jaw portion 16 of the handle 12. A third rivet 34 isused to fasten together the handle members 26 and 28 at the body portion14 of the handle 12. The rivet 30 passes through an annular spacer 36,which projects inwardly from the inside surface 38 of the handle member26, and through an annular spacer 40, which projects inwardly from theinside surface 42 of the handle member 28. The annular spacers 36 and 40are tightly drawn together by the rivet 30 and, in a manner to bedescribed hereinafter, provide pivotal support for the lever-actuatedmechanism 24. The rivets 32 and 34 pass through similar annular spacers(not numbered) projecting inwardly from the inside surfaces 38 and 42 ofthe respective handle members 26 and 28, as shown.

Preferably, the sliding member 18 is fabricated from a sheet metalstrip. The shank portion of the sliding member 18 is slidably mounted tothe handle 12, for longitudinal sliding movement of the sliding member18 with respect to the handle 12, and is guided within a cavity 48 inthe handle 12. The jaw portion 22 of the sliding member 18 extendsoutwardly from the jaw portion 16 of the handle 12 through a widenedslot 50 in the jaw portion 16 of the handle 12. The inner end 60 of theshank portion 20 of the sliding member 18 is bent at a right angletoward the handle member 26 and is guided between a longitudinal ridge62 on the inside surface 38 of the handle member 26 and a longitudinalridge 64, suitably spaced therefrom, on the inside surface 42 of thehandle member 28. The bent end 60 engages a generally transverse ridge66 on the inside surface 38 of the handle member 26, in order to limitlongitudinal sliding movement of the sliding member 18 outwardly withrespect to the handle 12 and thus prevent the sliding member 18 frombecoming accidently dissociated from the handle 12.

The jaw portion 22 of the sliding member 18 and the jaw portion 66 ofthe handle 12 are oriented so as to be drawn together upon longitudinalsliding movement of the sliding member 18 inwardly with respect to thehandle l2 and so as to be drawn apart upon longitudinal sliding movementof the sliding member 18 outwardly with respect to the handle.

An integral jaw 74, preferably serrated as shown, is provided on the jawportion 16 of the handle 12. As shown, the jaw 14 is molded in one piecewith the handle member 26, but, alternatively, the jaw 74 may be in theform of a separate piece fixedly attached to the jaw portion 16 of thehandle 12. An integral jaw 76, preferably formed with an enlargedV-groove 78, is provided on the jaw portion 22 of the sliding member 18.As shown, the outer end of the sliding member 18 is bent over and backto form the jaw 76, but, alternatively the jaw 76 may be in the form ofa separate piece fixedly attached to the jaw portion 22 of the slidingmember 18. The jaws 74 and 76 are adapted to be drawn tightly againstopposite portions of a threaded article, such as the exemplaryscrew-type lid or closure for a jar or bottle indicated in phantomoutline at 80 (FIGS. 1 and 2), by means of the lever-actuated mechanism24 next to be described.

The lever-actuated mechanism 24, which may be ac tuated to effectlongitudinal sliding movement of the sliding member 18 inwardly withrespect to the handle 12, comprises a lever 90 pivotally mounted to thehandle 12 in combination with force transmitting means 92 fortransmitting force from the lever 90 to the sliding member 18. i

The lever 90 which preferably is fabricated from a sheet metal blank, isgenerally L-shaped and has a lever-arm portion 94 and an extendedportion 96. The lever-arm portion 94 moves within a cavity 98 in thehandle 12 and is pivotally mounted to the handle 12 by means of theaforementioned annular spacers 36 and 40 around the rivet 30. As shown,the lever arm portion 94 of the lever 90 has a pair of spaced parallellegs, 100 and 102 respectively, which are disposed on opposite sides ofthe shank portion of the sliding member 18, and a connecting web 104.The annular spacers 36 and 40 extend through suitably circular openings(not numbered) in the respective legs 100 and 102 and define a pivotaxis about which the lever 90 is pivotable.

The extended portion 96 of the lever 90 extends outwardly from the jawportion 16 of the handle 12, through a widened slot 110 in the jawportion 16 of the handle 12, and is adapted to be drawn toward and awayfrom the body portion 14 of the handle 12 for pivotal movement of thelever 90 between a first (or opened) position, wherein the extendedportion 96 of the lever 90 and the body portion 14 of the handle 12 arespread apart, and a second (or closed) position, wherein the extendedportion 96 of the lever 90 and the body portion 14 of the handle 12 areclosed together. In FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the lever 90 is shown in thefirst (or opened) position in full lines and in the second (or closed)position in dashed lines. The lever 90 is biased to the opened positionmeans of a wire spring 112 which is coiled around the annular spacers 36and 40, between the legs 100 and 102 of the lever-arm portion 94 of thelever 90, one end 114 of the spring 112 being pressed against theinclined ridge 66 on the handle member 28 and the other end 116 of thespring 112 being bent back and hooked onto the leg 100.

Preferably, the handle 12 provides an integral stop for the lever 90 inthe opened position and an integral stop for the lever 90 in the'closedposition. As shown, movement of the lever 90 between the opened andclosed positions is limited by engagement of the lever 90 with themargins (not numbered) of of the opening 110.

20 of the sliding member 18 is provided with a series of ratchet teeth120 along one narrow edge 122. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, theshank portion 20 of the sliding member 18 is provided with a series ofIn each of the illustrated embodiments, the force transmitting means 92is connected tothe lever-arm portion 94.01 the lever 90 in such a manneras to efiect incremental longitudinal sliding movement of the slid- Inthe embodiments of FIGS. L5, the shank portion ing member 18 inwardlywith respect to the handle 12 upon pivotal movement of the lever fromthe first (or opened) position to the second (or closed) position.Furthermore, in accordance with the principles of this invention, thepivot axis of the lever 90, which is defined by the annular spacers 36and 40, and the point at which the force transmitting means 92 isconnected to the lever-arm portion 94 of the lever 90, are widely spacedapart from the respective opposite narrow edges of the shank portion 20of the sliding member 18. This relationship should be evident from thedrawing. As a result, the force transmitting means 92 is movable over anarcuate path in substantially parallel relation to the series of ratchetteeth 120 (or 120'), thereby. to be disengaged from the ratchet teeth120 (or 120') when the lever 90 is in the first (or opened) position tothe second (or closed) position. Such movement of the force transmittingmeans 92 permits force to be transmitted from the lever 90 to thesliding member 18 in a direction substantially parallel to the directionof intended movement of the sliding member 18. As a result, there isminimal friction between the shank portion 20 of the sliding member 18and the body portion 14 of the handle 12, and the lever 90 may berepeatedly actuated, with minimal effort, in order to advance thesliding member 18 with respect to the handle 12 in incrementalmovements.

In the embodiment of FIGS. l-3, the forcetransmitting means 92 comprisesa generally U-shaped' pawl 130 pivotally mounted to the lever .90,between the legs and 102 of the lever-arm portion 94, on a pin 132 whichis adjacent to the connecting web 104. The pawl 130 is movable with thelever 90, over an arcuate path in substantially parallel relation to theseries of ratchet teeth 120, and is adapted to clear the ratchet teethwhen the lever 90 is in the first (or opened) position and to be movedinto engagement with the ratchet teeth 120 upon pivotal movement of thelever 90 from the first (or opened) position to the second (or closed)position. The pawl is biased toward the ratchet teeth 120 by means of awire spring 134 which is coiled around the pin 132. One end 136 of thespring 134 is pressed against the connecting web 104 of the lever-armportion 94 of the lever 90. The other end 138 of the spring 134 ispressed against the pawl 130. The connecting web 104 of the lever-armportion 94 of the lever 90 is engaged by a portion 140 of the pawl 130and thereby limits pivotal movement of the pawl 130 toward the ratchetteeth 120, such that the pawl 130 is adapted to clear the ratchet teeth120 when the lever 90 is in the opened position, and such that the pawl130 is forced out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 120 upon releaseof they lever 90.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the force-transmitting means 92 comprises agenerally lU-shaped pawl 142 pivotally mounted to the lever 90, betweenthe legs 100 and 102 of the lever-arm portion 94, on a pin 144 which isadjacent to the connecting base 104. The pawl 142 is movable with thelever 90, over an arcuate path in substantially parallel relation to"the series of ratchet teeth 120, and is adapted to clear the ratchetteeth 120 when the lever 90 is in the first (or opened) position and tobe moved into engagement with the ratchet teeth 120 upon pivotalmovement of the lever 90 from the first (or opened) position to thesecond (or closed) position. The pawl 142 is biased toward the ratchetteeth 120 by means of a wire spring; 146 which is coiled around the pin144. One end 148 of the spring 146 is pressed against the connecting web104 of the leverarm portion 94 of the lever 90. The other end 140 of thespring 146 is pressed against the pawl 142. Transverse ridges 152 on theinside surfaces 38 and 42 of the respective handle members 26 and 28 areengaged by portions 154 of the pawl 142 upon pivotal movement of thelever 90 from the closed position to the opened position, such that thepawl 142 is adpated to clear the ratchet teeth 120 when the lever 90 isin the opened position, and such that the pawl 142 is forced out ofengagement with the ratchet teeth 1211 upon release of the lever 90.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the force transmitting means 92 comprises atongue 156, in cantilevered relation to the lever 90, movable with thelever 91) over an arcuate path in substantially parallel relation to theseries of ratchet teeth 120. The tongue 156 is connected to thelever-arm portion 94 of the lever 90 adjacent to the connecting base104, as shown, and is adapted to clear the ratchet teeth 120 when thelever 90 is in the first (or opened) position to the second (or closed)position. Thus, full movement of the lever 91) from the first (oropened) position to the second (or closed) position effects incrementalmovement of the sliding member 18 inwardly with respect to the body 12.The ratchet teeth 120 are shallow, as shown, in order to permit thetongue 156 to be disengaged substantially without movement of thesliding member 18 in the opposite direction with respect to the handle12.

The tongue 156 may be formed in one piece with the lever 90. As shown inFIG. 5, an integral portion of the lever 90 at the connecting web 104 ofthe lever-arm portion 94 is bent under, at an acute angle, in order toform the tongue 156. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the tool 10requires only two moving parts, exclusive of the handle 12 and the wirespring 112, namely, the sliding member 18 and the lever 90.Alternatively, a separate member (not shown) may be rigidly attached tothe lever 91) so as to form the tongue 156.

The embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5in that the force transmitting means 92 comprises a tongue 160 incantilevered relation to the lever 90. However, as shown, the tongue 160is in the form of a separate member which is rigidly attached to the leg101) of the lever-arm portion 94 of the lever 90 by means of a pair ofspaced rivets 162 which are adjacent to the connecting web 104.Alternatively, an integral portion of the lever 90 may be bent so as toform the tongue 160. The tongue 160 is movable with the lever 90, overan arcuate path in substantially parallel relation to the series ofratchet teeth 120', and is adapted to clear the ratchet teeth 120' whenthe lever 90 is in the opened position and to be moved into engagementwith the ratchet teeth 1211 upon pivotal movement of the lever 90 fromthe opened position to the closed position. Thus, full movement of thelever 91) from the first (or opened) position to the second (or closed)position effects incremental movement of the sliding member 18 inwardlywith respect to the handle 12. The ratchet teeth 120' are shallow, asshown, in order to permit the tongue 162 to be disengaged withoutsubstantial movement of the sliding member 18 in the opposite directionwith respect to the handle 12.

In each of the illustrated embodiments, because the force transmittingmeans 92 is movable in substantially parallel relation to the series ofratchet teeth 120 (or there is little friction between the slidingmember 18 and the handle 12. Thus, the lever 90 may be actuated withminimal effort to draw together the jaw portion 22 of the sliding member18 and the jaw portion 16 of the handle 12, and repeated actuation ofthe lever 90 to effect advancement of the sliding member 18 inincremental movements is virtually effortless. Of consequence, the tool10 may be operated with one hand, leaving the other hand of the operatorfree to hold the work object.

As an added feature, means may be provided for exerting a slightfrictional drag on the shank portion 20 of the sliding member 18. Ahelical spring 170, which is piloted over an inwardly projecting post172 on the inside surface 38 of the handle member 26, gently pressesagainst the shank portion 20 of the sliding member 18. The spring servesto prevent the sliding member 18 from slipping with respect to thehandle 12 but has'only minimal effect on the required longitudinalsliding movement of the sliding member 18 with respect to the handle 12.

Modifications and improvements within the scope of this invention may besuggested by the foregoing description to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the scope of this invention should be determined from thefollowing claims.

1 claim:

1. A tool comprising, in combination, a handle having a jaw portion, asliding member having an elongated shank portion formed with a series ofratchet teeth and slidably mounted to the handle for longitudinalsliding movement of said sliding member with respect to said handle anda jaw portion oriented so as to be drawn toward the jaw portion of saidhandle upon longitudinal sliding movement of said sliding member in onedirection with respect to said handle and so as to be drawn apart fromthe jaw portion of said handle upon longitudinal sliding movement ofsaid sliding member in the opposite direction with respect to saidhandle, a lever pivotally mounted to said handle for pivotal movementbetween a first position and a second position, means for biasing saidlever to said first position, said biasing means positioning said leverin said first position except when said lever is drawn toward saidsecond position, said handle engaging said lever to provide an integralstop for said lever in said first position and an integral stop for saidlever in said second position, and force transmitting means fortransmitting force from said lever to said sliding member to effectincremental longitudinal sliding movement of said sliding member in saidone direction upon pivotal movement of said lever from said firstposition to said second position, said force transmitting meanscomprising a pawl pivotally mounted to said lever for pivotal movementtoward and away from said ratchet teeth and movable with said lever overan arcuate path in substantially parallel relation to the series ofratchet teeth, said pawl being free of any contact with said handle overthe range of pivotal movement of said lever, and means for biasing saidpawl independently of said lever so as to move said pawl into engagementwith said ratchet teeth upon pivotal movement of said lever from saidfirst position to said second position, a portion of said lever beingadapted to engage a portion of said pawl to limit pivotal movement ofsaid panel toward said ratchet teeth and carry said pawl out ofengagement with said ratchet teeth upon pivotal movement of said leverfrom said second position to said first position, whereby said lever isreturned to said first position and said pawl is disengaged from saidratchet teeth upon release of said lever from said second position.

1. A tool comprising, in combination, a handle having a jaw portion, asliding member having an elongated shank portion formed with a series ofratchet teeth and slidably mounted to the handle for longitudinalsliding movement of said sliding member with respect to said handle anda jaw portion oriented so as to be drawn toward the jaw portion of saidhandle upon longitudinal sliding movement of said sliding member in onedirection with respect to said handle and so as to be drawn apart fromthe jaw portion of said handle upon longitudinal sliding movement ofsaid sliding member in the opposite direction with respect to saidhandle, a lever pivotally mounted to said handle for pivotal movementbetween a first position and a second position, means for biasing saidlever to said first position, said biasing means positioning said leverin said first position except when said lever is drawn toward saidsecond position, said handle engaging said lever to provide an integralstop for said lever in said first position and an integral stop for saidlever in said second position, and force transmitting means fortransmitting force from said lever to said sliding member to effectincremental longitudinal sliding movement of said sliding member in saidone direction upon pivotal movement of said lever from said firstposition to said second position, said force transmitting meanscomprising a pawl pivotally mounted to said lever for pivotal movementtoward and away from said ratchet teeth and movable with said lever overan arcuate path in substantially parallel relation to the series ofratchet teeth, said pawl being free of any contact with said handle overthe range of pivotal movement of said lever, and means for biasing saidpawl independently of said lever so as to move said pawl into Engagementwith said ratchet teeth upon pivotal movement of said lever from saidfirst position to said second position, a portion of said lever beingadapted to engage a portion of said pawl to limit pivotal movement ofsaid panel toward said ratchet teeth and carry said pawl out ofengagement with said ratchet teeth upon pivotal movement of said leverfrom said second position to said first position, whereby said lever isreturned to said first position and said pawl is disengaged from saidratchet teeth upon release of said lever from said second position.